One of this episode’s near-disasters lightens the mood a bit downstairs. And, it’s taught your friendly blog editor not to fear making hollandaise, thanks to research by Tara Austen Weaver:

Alfred may be the first footman to have won a kitchen maid's favor with an egg, but he’s not the first person to use one to fix a broken hollandaise sauce.

The plot thickens. In just one hour, we have Ireland, prison, handsome new footmen and an electric toaster. It's a tough night for Carson. And it'll be a long week for the rest of us. Read on when you're ready to find out who's BFFs with whom after season 3, episode three, in this week's recap by Amie Simon.

Doesn't it seem a little like Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes have a "thing" from way back? Anna and Bates managed to fall in love, marry and start to live happily ever after (but we know how well that's going). So why not our two favorite lead staff? Tara Austen Weaver investigates:

Think you're ready to put on a picnic for the Crawleys? Tara Austen Weaver reports that one Mrs. Patmore would be kept quite busy prepping for her family's feast.

Have you wondered if Julian Fellowes exaggerated the competition to be head footman, valet to Lord Grantham or head housemaid, just for the sake of downstairs drama? Guest blogger Tara Austen Weaver provides insight and (perhaps) a little vindication for our dear puppetmaster series writer.

Have you recovered from season three, episode two of Downton Abbey yet? We still feel a little awkward when we consider Edith’s brazen lines from episode one—Sir Anthony Strallan almost family, indeed. But why would she be so forward? As Tara Austen Weaver writes, Edith’s comment that all the eligible young men had come home dead after the war turns out not to be melodrama, after all.

My dear friends – was this the longest week in your life? Perhaps you were waiting to see if your favorite sports team would advance and waiting for season 3, episode 2 of Downton Abbey. It has been an emotional night for us all, hasn’t it? If you’re ready to relive the glory, the drama and the disappointment, please read on for Amie Simon’s recap …

Well then! What a dramatic re-entry to Downton Abbey! Our recap by Amie Simon will help you recall some of the best lines and keep that glow going while we wait a week for episode 2. It's quite long, as warrants an entirely new season with new story lines, new characters and new fashions.

You can watch this entire episode online at video.KCTS9.org (desktop version) or at video.pbs.org (mobile-friendly version). Please note, video is US only at both sites.

Already following @KCTS9 but find our live-tweeting insufficient to fill your days with tweets? Last season, we "met" many of the characters on twitter and are happy to introduce you. Likewise, several actors are online from time to time. And of course there are the official hashtag (#DowntonPBS) and our fearless livechat leaders to follow for facts and fun. 

Do watch out for spoilers and excessive silliness from time to time. (Not all tweeters will be suitable for all readers.)

When Masterpiece Classic first brought Downton Abbey to the United States in January 2011, it seemed unlikely at first that the program would include an American character amidst the British peerage. But as guest blogger Tara Austen Weaver reports, the story of American brides is even more surprising (and common) than as depicted in our favorite drama.